Fire polishing machine



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ATTORN YS F. J. FEDORCHAK ETAL FIRE POLISHING MACHINE Filed June lO,1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 11, 1944.

Patented Jan. `1.1,

AUNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE FIRE POLISHING MACHINE William J.Fedorchak, Granite City, Albert S.

Jackson, Wood River, and Francis A. McCormick, Clarence A. Heyne, andHarold E. Nelson, Alton, Ill., assignors to Owens-Illinois Glas Company,a corporation of Ohio application June 1o, i941, serial No. 397,414

(c1. 1a-5s) 8 Claims.

Our invention relates to machines for fire polishing or finishing thesurfaces of glass articles and more particularly for fire polishing thelips or iinishes oi.' glass bottles, jars and the like as they aredelivered from the glass blowing machine. It is customary to nre polishsuch articles by applying an intense flame to the surfaces to bepolished, whereby the surface portion of the glass is softened or meltedso that ns, cracks, mold seams and other surface irregularities areeliminated and a smooth surface obtained.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic machineadapted to receive the glassware as supplied .from automatic blowingmachines which deliver the blown articles in rapid succession, andsubject them to such a fire polishing operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a fire nishingmachine embodying the present invention:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, the section being ,taken atthe line 2 2 on Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view at the line 3 3 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail at the line 4 4 on Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the machine at the line 5 5 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation at the line 6 6 on Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a section at the line 1 1 on Fig. 5.

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional plan views taken respectively atthe lines 8 8 and 9 9 on Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine comprises a stationary hollowbase or casing I0, a tubular center column Il having a fixed mountingwithin the base, and a carriage mounted for continuous rotation aboutthe vertical axis of the column Il. The carriage comprises a table I2supported on roller bearings I3, and aspider I4 spaced above the tableI2 and supported on an annular series of standards or castings I5mounted on the table I2. The carriage further includes a distributinghead I6 spaced above the spider I4 and connected thereto by tie rods I6,The head I6 is formed with annular chambers I1 and I8 to which fuel gasand air or oxygen may be supplied respectively and from which the gasesare distributed to the several burners as hereinafter described.

Mounted on the carriage for rotation therewith are a multiplicity ofburner units 20 arranged in an annular series. Each unit comprises ahood 20a (Fig. 2) carried at the lower end of a vertical stem 2l, thelatter being inthe form of a rectangular pipe. The hood 20 is lined onits interior with a lining 20h of refractory material which is formedwith a combustion chamber 20c in communication with the passagewaythrough the stem 2 I The carriage is rotated continuously by an electricmotor 24 housed withinthe base I0. Driving connections between the motorand the carriage include a sprocket chain 25 (Figs. 1 and 5) trainedover sprocket wheels 26 and 21 keyed respectively to the motor shaft anda worm shaft 29, the latter journalled in a gear box 29 (Fig. 6) withinthe base I0 and attached to the cover plate of said base by bolts 3l.The worm' shaft 28 drives a worm gear 32 keyed to a vertical shaft 33journalled in the gear case 29. The shaft 33 drives a set of planetarygears 34 which in turn drive a ring gear35 to which is bolted a spider36. The hub of the spider is journalled in the cover plate '31 of thegear case and is keyed to a shaft 38 in vertical alignment with theshaft 33. A pinion 39 keyed on the shaft 38 meshes with a ring gear 40(Figs. 2 and 5) bolted to the under surface of the table I2. Theplanetary gears 34 are mounted on a plate 4I (Fig. 6) to which is bolteda worm gear 42. Means for rotatively adjusting the plate 4I about theaxis of the shaft 33 includes a Worm 44 keyed to a shaft 45 journalledin the gear case and to which is attached a hand crank 46. Thisadjusting means permits the shaft 38 to be'rotatively adjusted relativeto the shaft 33 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 3 the articles 41, herein shown as bottles, which areto be fire polished, are

brought in succession to a transfer station A bya continuously travelingendless belt conveyor 48. The bottles may be supplied to the conveyorfrom the bottle blowing machine, conventional mechanism being used forautomatically transferring the bottles from the machine to the saidconveyor. When the bottles reach the station A they are transferred tothe rotating carriage by a transfer mechanism comprising a transferwheel of the fingers 5|.

The bottles are nre finished as hereinafter described, during theirrotation With the carriage, and are then transferred back to theconveyor 48 at a transfer station B by means of a transfer wheel 55carrying radial fingers 56. The wheel 55 is attached to a shaft I51. Theconveyor belt 48 is driven in synchronism with the rotating table I2.The transfer wheels 49 and 55 are driven from the ring gear 40 throughdriving connections including a pinion 58 (Figs. 2 and 5) running inmesh with the gear 40 and keyed to a shaft 59 journalled in the machinebase. A sprocket wheel attached to the lower end of the shaft 59 drivesa sprocket chain 60 which is trained over sprocket wheels keyedrespectively to the shafts 50 and 51.

The bottles are guided into position on the rotating table I2 and heldin position during the fire finishing operations by means of guideplates 6| mounted on said table and individual to the burner units. Theguide plates are arranged in an annular series and extend radially ofthe carriage, the outer ends of the plates being bifurcated to straddlethe bottles. The table I2 is formed with bosses 82 (Fig. 2) on its uppersurface on which the guide plates are mounted and by which -they arespaced above the surface of the table. Each guide mate is adjustablerdially of the table by means of an adjusting rod 63 rotatably mountedon the under side of the table and having a screw-threaded connectionwith an arm 64 attached to'the plate 6| and extending downward therefromthrough an elongated opening 65 in the boss 62. The guide plate is heldin its adjusted position by clamping bolts E6.

As each bottle is shifted from the conveyor belt onto the rotating tableat the transfer station A, it is guided into position in the bifurcatedend of a plate 8|. The transfer wheel 49 4may be rotatively adjustedrelative to its shaft 50 for accurately timing the movements of thebottle relative to the traveling guide plates. This adjustment may bemade by a hand operated worm shaft 61 mounted on the transfer wheel andmeshing with a worm gear B8 (Fig. 3) attached to the shaft i50. Similaradjusting means is provided for the transfer wheel 55.

In order to insure the accurate positioning of each bottle in contactwith its supporting plate 6I, an arm 69 (Figs. 3 and 7) is mounted inposition to guide the bottle in place. The arm 69 is secured to theupper end of a vertical rock shaft 10 journalled in a bracket 1| boltedto the base I0. A rock arm 12 attached to the lower end of the shaft 10carries at its outer end `a cam roll 13 which runs on a cam disk 14fixed to the lower end of the shaft 50. The cam disk is formed with camrecesses 15 in its periphery spaced to correspond with the angularspacing A coil spring 18 holds the arm 12 in contact with the cam disk.As the cam disk rotates, the guide arm 69 is given an inward swing eachtime the cam roll drops into a cam notch 15. This operation is timed topush each bottle snugly into engagement with the supporting plate 8|.

The burners 20 are movable vertically into and out of operative relationto the bottles 41 during the rotation of the carriage. To permit suchmovement the stems 2| are mounted for sliding movement in the spinder I4and distributing head I6. Referring to Figs. 2 and 9, the distributinghead carries a ring 11 integrally connected thereto by radial arms 18.Said ring is formed with rectangular bosses 19 providing guideways forthe stems 2|. The stems are held in place by removable front plates 80.Like means, including bosses 8| (Fig. 1) on the periphery of the spider|4, are provided for guiding the burner stems up and down therein.

The means for moving the burners up and down include rectangular sleeves82 individual.v

to said stems and each including a removable front plate 83. The sleevesare individually adjustable up and doWn on the stems by means ofadjusting devices, each of which comprises a rack 84 formed on the stemand a pinion 85 journalled in the plate 83 and running in mesh with therack. The pinion is rotatable by a knob 86. The stem is clamped in itsadjusted position by a clamping screw carrying a knob 81. The sleeves 82serve as stops to limit the downward movement of the burners, eachsleeve resting on the rim of the spider I4 when the burner is lowered.

Means for controlling the lifting and lowering of the burners comprisesa cam track including a lifting cam 88 and a lowering cam 88EL mountedrespectively on radial arms 89 and 89la (Fig. 8) which are clamped tothe center column I. The cam track includes an intermediate section 90(Fig. 8) in the form of an arc-shaped bar connected at its ends to thearms 89, 89a. Each of said arms is bifurcated at its inner end toprovide an upper bearing or hub 9| and a lower hub 92 (Fig. 2)surrounding the column Each hub includes a section integral with thearm, and a strap 93 attached thereto by clamping bolts 94 which serve toclamp the arms to the center column. The cam track section 90 may bereplaced with other sections of different lengths for adjustmentpurposes.

The sleeves 82 have mounted thereon cam rolls 96 which run on the camtrack. The lifting cam 88 is positioned and arranged to lift each burnerbefore the latter reaches the unloading station and the lowering cam89EL is positioned to permit the burner to be moved downward by its ownweight to operative position after a bottle has been positioned on thetable therebeneath. The cam arms may be adjusted circumferentially ofthe machine to effect the lifting and lowering of the burners at anypredetermined points, thereby determining the length of time the bottlesor other articles are subjected to the action of the burners. The lengthof time required for best results may vary considerably, depending uponthe size and shape of the articles which are being fire finished and onother variable factors.

The means for supplying fuel gases to the burners will now be described.Referring to Fig. 2, air under pressure may be supplied from a suitablesource through a pipe 91 opening into the column I| at the lower endthereof. The air passes upward through said column to a branch pipe 98leading to the air chamber |8 formed in the distributing head I6. Aswivel connection 99 is provided between the column and the pipe 98 topermit rotation of the latter with the carriage. The fuel gas issupplied through a pipe having a swivel connection ||l| with a branchpipe |02 similar to the pipe 98 and which opens into the annular chamber|1 surrounding the chamber I8. The gases are distributed from thechambers I1 and I8 through pairs of pipes |03. |04, leading respectivelyfrom the said chambers to mixing heads |05 on the upper ends of theburner stems 2|. Hand valves |06 and |01 connected respectively to thepipes |03 and |04 serve to regulate the ow of gases to the burners. Inthis manner the rate at which the gases are supplied to each burner maybe adjusted or the supply may be shut oiT entirely from any selectedunits.

The lifting cam 88 is positioned and arranged to lift each burner beforethe latter reaches the discharge station B and the burners are held intheir lifted position by the cam track until they have passed beyond thestation lA. This permits the transfer of the articles to and from thecarriage without interference from the burners. The cam track isadjusted to hold each burner in its lowered or operative position alength of time determined by the requirements of the particular articleswhich are being fire finished. When a burner is lowered, the lip portionor finish of the bottle therebeneath is -brought within the chamber 2lic(Fig. 2) and subjected to the heat of the gases which are burning withinsaid chamber. This heat may be sumciently intense to soften or melt asurface layer of the glass before much of the heat has time to penetratethe glass to any considerable depth. In other words, the heating effectis confined mainly to the surface of the glass. A smooth surface orglaze is thus produced and all ne cracks, fissures, fins, mold seams orother irregularities smoothed out and eliminated.

Modifications may be resorted to Within the spirit and scope of ourinvention.

1. A machine for fire finishing glass articles comprising a carriagemounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a motor connected to rotatethe carriage, an annular series of burner units on the carriage, eachunit comprising a burner, automatic transfer mechanism positionedadjacent to the carriage and comprising means for individually movingarticles horizontally onto the carriage at a receiving station with thearticles positioned below and in register with the burners, mechanismfor lowering each burner into operative relation to a said article at apoint beyond said receiving station, a transfer device positioned at adischarging station adjacent to the path of movement of the articleswith the carriage, said transfer device comprising means operable toremove the articles from the carriage as they are brought to saiddischarging station, and burner lifting mechanism positioned andarranged to lift each burner during its travel as it advances with thecarriage toward the said discharging station.

2. A fire finishing machine comprising a carriage, means for rotating itabout a vertical axis, a series of burner units mounted to rotate withthe carriage, each said unit comprising a hood formed with a. combustionchamber, a. vertical tubular stem carrying said hood, and a bearingsleeve mounted on the stem, means for individually adjusting saidsleeves up and down on said stems, cam rolls carried on said sleeves,and a stationary cam track in the path of the cam rolls, said cam trackbeing positioned and arranged to support each burner unit during apredetermined portion of its travel, ai; a height determined by the saidadjustment of its bearing sleeve.

3. A fire finishing machine comprising a carriage, means for rotating itabout a vertical axis, a series of burner units mounted to rotate withlthe carriage, each said unit comprising a hood formed with a combustionchamber, a vertical tubular stem carrying said hood, a bearing sleevemounted on said stem, means for adjusting the sleeve up and down on thestem including a rack on the stem, a pinion carried ,by the sleeve andengaging the rack, means for rotating the pinion,

means for clamping the sleeve in adjusted posiy tion on the stem, andmeans for lifting the burner units in succession comprising a stationarycam track.

4. A fire finishing machine comprising-a carriage, means for rotating itabout a vertical axis, said carriage comprising a table, a horizontalconveyer positioned at one side of said table by which articles arebrought in succession to a transfer station, means at said station fortransferring the articles from the conveyor to the said table, saidtransfer means including a transfer wheel, means for rotating said wheelabout a vertical axis in synchronismwith the rotation of the carriage,and radial fingers carried by said wheel, plates mounted on said table,said plates shaped and arranged to guide and hold the articles in apredetermined position, an arm positioned adjacent to the path of saidplates for moving the articles into position in contact with saidplates, said arm having a stationary mounting, and cam means vforperiodically actuating said arm in synchronism with the said movementsof the articles.

5. A fire finishing machine comprising a. carriage mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, devices on the carriage for individuallypositioning and holding articles each in a predetermined position on thecarriage, a. belt conveyor by which articles are carried to a transferstation, means at said station for transferring the articles from saidconveyor to the carriage, and a device for moving each article into saidpredetermined position, said last mentioned device comprising a rock armhaving a stationary mounting and means driven in synchronism with therotation of the carriage for periodically rocking said arm.

6. A iire finishing machine comprising a carriage mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis, devices on the carriage for individuallypositioning and holding articles each in a predetermined position on thecarriage, a belt conveyor by which articles are carried to a transferstation, means at said station for transferring the articles from saidconveyor to the carriage, and a device for moving each article into saidpredetermined position, said last mentioned device comprising a rock armhaving a. stationary mounting and means driven in synchronism with therotation of the carriage for periodically rocking said arm, said lastmentioned means comprising a cam disk formed with cams spaced along itsperiphery, means for rotating said cam disk, and means controlled bysaid cams for periodically swinging said arm.

'1. A re finishing machine comprising a. carriage, means forcontinuously rotating the carriage about a, vertical axis, a. series ofburners mounted to rotate with the carriage, cam rolls individual to theburners and connected to rotate therewith, means for individuallyadjusting the burners up and down relative to their respective cam rollsand securing them in adjusted position, a stationary circular track onwhich said rolls run, said track including a cam positioned and arrangedto lift said rolls and their connected burners and hold them at anelevated position during a predetermined portion of the rotation'.

8. A fire finishing machine comprising a carriage, means forcontinuously rotating the carriage about a. vertical axis, a series ofburners mounted to rotate with the carriage, cam rolls individual to theburners and connected to rotate therewith, meansfor individuallyadjusting the burners up and down relative to their respective cam rollsand securing them in adjusted position, a stationary circular track onwhich said rolls run, said track including a cam positioned and arrangedto lift said rolls and their connected burners and hold them at anelevated position during a predetermined portion of the rotation, saidcarriage including an article supporting table v positioned beneath andspaced below the burners,

and automatic means for placing articles on said

